An experiment to boost the number of people voting in local elections has been slammed for increasing costs by £1 million but failing to raise turnouts.

An experiment to boost the number of people voting in local elections has been slammed for increasing costs by &#xA3;1 million but failing to raise turnouts.

South Tyneside Council accepted phone, text and internet votes for the first time in May's local elections. But according to a report from the Electoral Commission, the experiment cost &#xA3;1.3 million - &#xA3;1 million more than last year - while turnout fell by 10 per cent.

Conservatives said it was a waste of money and have called on council leaders not to repeat it. But South Tyneside's ruling Labour group, while admitting the test was expensive, said it was an important part of trying to encourage more people to take part in elections.